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Duke and Duchess of Cambridge Visit Indian Wildlife Rescue Centre

Tuesday, 12 April, 2016

Kaziranga, India

Tomorrow (Wednesday) the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW – www.ifaw.org) and the Wildlife Trust of India (www.wildlifetrustofindia.org) will welcome the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge to the Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC), where they will witness first-hand orphaned Asian elephants and rhinos and other injured wildlife and meet the dedicated staff that rescue and care for these animals.

“We are delighted that their Royal Highnesses made time in their busy tour schedule to visit the IFAW- WTI centre and meet staff and the animals under care,” said Azzedine Downes, IFAW President and CEO. “With elephants and rhinos in particular facing an uncertain future due to habitat loss, human conflict and poaching, IFAW is pleased that the Duke and Duchess are able to raise public awareness of these threats to an international audience.”

The Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) is the leading wildlife rehabilitation facility in India and is a joint effort of the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and the Assam Forest Department (AFD).

At the Centre, the Royal couple will be escorted by Vivek Menon, Senior Advisor at IFAW and Executive Director of WTI, Mr. Downes, the Centre Manager, Rathin Burman, and veterinarian Dr. Panjit Basumatary. The Duke and Duchess will feed and walk with elephant calves, meet their keepers, and view a wide range of rescued wildlife including baby rhinos.

CWRC has pioneered wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and release in India. Since opening in 2002, the CWRC has saved more than 1,600 animals and achieved a number of notable firsts, including the first documented release of hand-reared clouded leopards, first documented reintegration of orphaned Asian elephant calves into a wild herd, and in 2013, three hand-reared, endangered female rhinos gave birth to calves after release into Manas National Park.

“India’s biodiversity is a global treasure, and every rescued animal that we successfully rehabilitate and release helps rebuild endangered wild populations,” said Mr. Menon. “We are proud to share all that the Centre staff have accomplished with the Duke and Duchess, and grateful that the Royal couple is using their influence to share it with the world.”

About IFAW

Founded in 1969, IFAW rescues and protects animals around the world. With projects in more than 40 countries, IFAW rescues individual animals, works to prevent cruelty to animals, and advocates for the protection of wildlife and habitats. For more information, visit www.ifaw.org. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter.

About WTI: Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) is a leading Indian nature conservation organisation committed to the service of nature. Its mission is to conserve wildlife and its habitat and to work for the welfare of individual wild animals, in partnership with communities and governments. IFAW and WTI have been working towards a common goal through joint strategies on multiple fronts for over 15 years.